TOUGHER dog laws have received the backing of Warwickshire Police and Crime Commissioner Ron Ball.
A law change now makes it an offence for a dog to be dangerously out of control anywhere – including the owner’s home.
Maximum jail sentences have been increased from two years to 14 years for a fatal attack on a person, and from two years to five years for an injury.
And owners can expect up to three years in prison if their dog kills or injures an assistance dog.
Ron Ball said: “These changes to the law are long overdue. Assistance dogs – such as guide dogs – are invaluable and make a huge difference to their owners’ lives. I spent time out around Warwick with one while wearing a blindfold, so I know what it’s like.
“They do get attacked by other dogs and are sometimes unable to work again afterwards.
“Apart from the distress this causes the owners, there is the huge cost involved in retrained or replacing these dogs – so I support the change in the law 100 per cent.”
Further changes are expected to happen by 2016, when the Government plans to introduce compulsory micro-chipping to identify all dogs.
Warwickshire Police Commissioner Ron Ball taking part in a blindfolded walk in Warwick town centre, guided by Tracey Walker and Lola the guide dog. Picture by Jon Mullis 21.013.007.leam.jm4
